Iconic Albums - Elton John - Regimental Sgt. Zippo

Iconic Albums: Elton John - Regimental Sgt. ZippoBy Richard Ward

Before the sequins, the stadiums, and the superstardom, there was Zippo.

Regimental Sgt. Zippo is the lost debut album that almost never saw the light of day. Shelved for over 50 years, it was Elton John's psychedelic prelude to fame-a whimsical, surreal, and kaleidoscopic journey into late 1960s British pop. Now, for the first time, this comprehensive book explores the entire Regimental Sgt. Zippo story: from its mysterious creation to its unexpected 2021 revival.

In this meticulously researched and passionately written volume, music historian Richard Ward unpacks the album track by track, moment by moment-revealing how Zippo provides a fascinating glimpse into Elton John's earliest musical experiments and his legendary partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin.

Inside this book you'll discover: The psychedelic culture and Beatles influence that shaped Zippo

Bernie Taupin's surreal early lyrics and their literary inspirations

Why the album was shelved in favor of Empty Sky

The early Taupin/John dynamic: intuition, contrast, and trust

Full track-by-track analysis of songs like "Scarecrow," "Hourglass," and "When I Was Tealby Abbey"

The 2021 vinyl release and fan response to a long-lost debut

How Zippo foreshadowed the themes, styles, and sound of Elton's later classics

What this forgotten record reveals about Elton's creative DNA

Whether you're a lifelong Elton John fan, a collector of 60s psych-pop, or simply fascinated by the stories behind iconic albums, this book offers a rare backstage pass into Elton's formative years-before the world knew his name, before the Rocket Man took flight.

A love letter to a lost debut. A must-read for true music fans.